Thermo-chemical recuperation systems, devices, and methods

ABSTRACT

Thermo-chemical recuperation systems, devices, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Embodiments may generally relate to the field of refrigeration and/or heat pumping. Within that field, some embodiments apply to the recuperation or recapturing of both thermal and chemical potential in a freeze point suppression cycle. Some embodiments include a method and/or system of thermo-chemical recuperation that includes creating a flow of ice and flowing a brine against the flow of the ice. Some embodiments manage the thermal and chemical potentials by mixing a dilute brine stream exiting an ice mixing vessel with an ice stream before it enters the ice mixing vessel. By controlling this mixing in a counter-flow or step-wise cross flow manner with sufficient steps, both the thermal and chemical potential of the dilute bine stream may be recuperated.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional patent application claimingpriority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.62/782,378, filed on Dec. 20, 2018 and entitled “THERMO-CHEMICALRECUPERATION SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS,” the entire disclosure ofwhich is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS

This invention was made with U.S. Government support under Contract1533939 awarded by the National Science Foundation. The U.S. Governmenthas certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND

Energy transfer between different materials may be performed in avariety of ways. Heat exchangers, for example, may be utilized totransfer heat between one or more fluids. Heat exchangers may beutilized in a wide variety of technologies such as space heating,refrigeration, and air conditioning. A recuperator may provide aspecific type of heat exchanger that may facilitate heat transfer insidea system to increase efficiency, for example.

While some technologies may have the ability to move heat around, suchas heat exchangers, there may be a general need for new tools andtechniques to recuperate heat and/or energy.

SUMMARY

Thermo-chemical recuperation systems, devices, and methods are providedin accordance with various embodiments. Embodiments may generally relateto the field of refrigeration and/or heat pumping. Within that field,some embodiments apply to the recuperation or recapturing of boththermal and chemical potential in a freeze point suppression cycle.

Some embodiments manage the thermal and chemical potentials by mixing adilute brine stream exiting an ice mixing vessel with an ice streambefore it enters the ice mixing vessel. By controlling this mixing in acounter-flow or step-wise cross flow manner with sufficient steps, boththe thermal and chemical potential of the dilute bine stream may berecuperated.

Some embodiments involve creating an ice flow using either mechanical,gravitational, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic means and simultaneouslyflowing dilute brine against the ice flow by either gravitational orcyclic spraying means. The counter-flow type mixing, for example, mayexchange both the thermal and chemical potential in the dilute brine andmay pre-chill the ice before it may enter the ice mixing vessel.Furthermore, the melting of ice at a relatively high temperature of thedilute brine may produce a diluting effect in the brine that does notaffect the ice mixing vessel. By removing this water before the materialreaches the ice mixing vessel and at a temperature equal to or greaterthan the ice mixing vessel, the work involved in the separator may bedecreased.

For example, some embodiments include a method of thermo-chemicalrecuperation that includes creating a flow of ice and flowing a brineagainst the flow of the ice. In some embodiments, flowing the brineagainst the flow of the ice includes forming a counter flow of the brineagainst the flow of the ice. In some embodiments, flowing the brineagainst the flow of the ice includes forming a step-wise cross flow ofthe brine against the flow of the ice. In some embodiments, forming thestep-wise cross flow of the brine against the flow of the ice includescyclically injecting the brine at multiple points with respect to theflow of the ice.

In some embodiments, flowing the brine against the flow of the icereduces a temperature of the brine. In some embodiments, flowing thebrine against the flow of the ice dilutes the brine. In someembodiments, flowing the brine against the flow of the ice reduces atemperature of the ice.

Some embodiments of the method include delivering the flow of the ice toan ice tank after flowing the brine against the flow of the ice. Someembodiments include passing the brine through a separator after thebrine flows against the flow of the ice. In some embodiments, theseparator forms at least a concentrated brine or water from the brine.Some embodiments include freezing the water from the separator to formice for the flow of the ice. Some embodiments include combining the icein an ice tank with the concentrated brine after flowing the brineagainst the flow of the ice.

In some embodiments of the method, flowing the brine against the flow ofthe ice utilizes gravity for flowing the brine against the flow of theice. In some embodiments, creating the flow of the ice flows the iceagainst gravity. In some embodiments, creating the flow of the ice flowsthe ice with gravity.

In some embodiments, the flow of the ice and flowing the brine againstthe flow of the ice occurs horizontally. In some embodiments, the flowof the ice and flowing the brine against the flow of the ice that occurshorizontally includes flowing the ice and the brine through a tube thatincludes a horizontal portion. Some embodiments include utilizing anauger to pack the ice into the tube that includes the horizontalportion.

In some embodiments, creating the flow of the ice utilizes at least anauger or a chain conveyor. Some embodiments may utilize a bucketconveyor.

Some embodiments include a thermo-chemical recuperation system that mayinclude: one or more ice flow channels; and one or more brine portswhere the one or more ice flow channels and the one or more brine portsare positioned with respect to each other such that a flow of brine fromthe one or more brine ports is against a flow of the ice through the oneor more ice flow channels.

In some embodiments of the system, at least the one or more ice flowchannels or the one or more brine ports are positioned to form a counterflow of the brine against the flow of the ice. In some embodiments, atleast the one or more ice flow channels or the one or more brine portsare positioned to form a step-wise cross flow of the brine against theflow of the ice. In some embodiments of the system, the step-wise crossflow of the brine against the flow of the ice includes cyclicallyinjecting the brine from multiple brine ports from the one or more brineports with respect to the flow of the ice through the one or more iceflow channels.

In some embodiments, at least the one or more ice flow channels or theone or more brine ports are positioned such that the brine flows withgravity against the flow of the ice. In some embodiments, at least theone or more ice flow channels or the one or more brine ports arepositioned such that the flow of the ice flows the ice against gravity.In some embodiments, at least the one or more ice flow channels or theone or more brine ports are positioned such that the flow of the iceflows the ice with gravity. In some embodiments, one or more brine portsare positioned such that flow of the ice and the flow of the brineagainst the flow of the ice occurs horizontally.

Some embodiments of the system include an auger positioned with respectto the one or more ice flow channels to create the flow of the ice. Someembodiments include a chain conveyor positioned with respect to the oneor more ice flow channels to create the flow of the ice. Someembodiments include an ice tank positioned to receive the flow of theice after the ice flows through the one or more ice channels.

In some embodiments of the system, the one or more ice flow channelsinclude at least a tube that includes a horizontal portion. Someembodiments include an auger that packs the ice into the tube thatincludes the horizontal portion.

Some embodiments of the system include a separator positioned to receivethe brine after the brine flows against the flow of the ice. In someembodiments, the separator forms at least a concentrated brine or waterfrom the brine. In some embodiments, the separator is coupled with theice tank such that the concentrated brine is delivered to the ice tank.Some embodiments include an ice maker to form the ice for the flow ofthe ice. In some embodiments, the separator is coupled with the icemaker such that the water from the separator is delivered to the icemaker to form the ice for the flow of the ice.

Some embodiments include methods, systems, and/or devices as describedin the specification and/or shown in the figures.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of embodiments according to the disclosure in order that thedetailed description that follows may be better understood. Additionalfeatures and advantages will be described hereinafter. The conceptionand specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basisfor modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Features whichare believed to be characteristic of the concepts disclosed herein, bothas to their organization and method of operation, together withassociated advantages will be better understood from the followingdescription when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.Each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of differentembodiments may be realized by reference to the following drawings. Inthe appended figures, similar components or features may have the samereference label. Further, various components of the same type may bedistinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1A shows a system and/or device in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 1B shows systems and/or devices in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 1C shows a system and/or device in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 2 show a system and/or device in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a system and/or device in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a system and/or device in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a system and/or device in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a system and/or device in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a method in accordance with variousembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description provides embodiments, and is not intended to limit thescope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, theensuing description will provide those skilled in the art with anenabling description for implementing embodiments of the disclosure.Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements.

Thus, various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add variousprocedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it should beappreciated that the methods may be performed in an order different thanthat described, and that various stages may be added, omitted, orcombined. Also, aspects and elements described with respect to certainembodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. It should alsobe appreciated that the following systems, devices, and methods mayindividually or collectively be components of a larger system, whereinother procedures may take precedence over or otherwise modify theirapplication.

Thermo-chemical recuperation systems, devices, and methods are providedin accordance with various embodiments. Embodiments generally relate tothe field of refrigeration and/or heat pumping. Within that field, someembodiments apply to the recuperation or recapturing of both thermal andchemical potential in a freeze point suppression cycle.

For example, some embodiments provide an approach to recuperate unusedthermal and chemical potential in a freeze point suppression cycle.Within this type of thermodynamic cycle, two components may be included:an ice mixing vessel and a separator. Fluid may move from the ice mixingvessel to the separator in a dilute form and back to the ice mixingvessel as a concentrate after water is removed in the separator.Managing the fluid's thermal and chemical potential in these two formsis generally important to overall system efficiency.

For the purpose of freeze point suppression cycles, thermal potentialgenerally means the ability to provide cooling (i.e., a lowtemperature), while chemical potential generally means the ability toproduce a cold temperature spontaneously without requiring work. Anexample of a thermal potential is a brine at a low temperature. Anexample of a chemical potential is a brine at a high concentration that,when mixed with ice, spontaneously cools to a low temperature.

Some embodiments manage these potentials by mixing the dilute streamexiting the ice mixing vessel with the ice stream before it enters theice mixing vessel. By controlling this mixing in a counter-flow orstep-wise cross flow manner with sufficient steps, both the thermal andchemical potential of the dilute stream may be recuperated, in somecases optimally.

Some embodiments involve creating an ice flow using either mechanical,gravitational, hydraulic, or pneumatic means and simultaneously flowingdilute brine against the ice flow by either gravitational or cyclicspraying means. The counter-flow type mixing, for example, may exchangeboth the thermal and chemical potential in the dilute brine and maypre-chill the ice before it may enter the ice mixing vessel.Furthermore, the melting ice at a relatively high temperature of thedilute brine may produce a diluting effect in the brine that does notaffect the ice mixing vessel. By removing this water before the materialreaches the ice mixing vessel and at a temperature equal to or greaterthan the ice mixing vessel, the work involved in the separator may bedecreased.

Some embodiments may be constructed from many interchangeablecomponents. For example, if the ice is to move against the direction ofgravity, a mechanical conveyor might be used like an auger conveyor,chain conveyor, bucket conveyor, or belt conveyor. In thisconfiguration, the brine may be injected high in the system and may beallowed to flow down by gravity over the ice as it moves up.

In a case where the ice may instead be allowed to move with gravitydown, the brine may be pumped in stages to be sprayed over the ice as itfalls. For example, by creating many discrete step-wise cross flowinteractions like this, the overall performance may approach a truecounter-flow configuration.

The description herein may generally refer to ice and brines. Ingeneral, the brines may be formed from a freeze point suppressantcombined with a solid that may be melted to form the brine; in someembodiments, the brines may be formed from concentrating a diluted brineutilizing a separator. Merely by way of example, the freeze pointsuppressant may include, but is not limited to: water, alcohol, ionicliquids, amines, ammonia, salt, non-salt soluble solids, organic liquid,inorganic liquid, triethylamine, cyclohexopuridine, mixtures of misciblematerials, and/or a surfactant-stabilized mixture of immisciblematerials. The solid may include a fully or partially solid form of thefollowing, but is not limited to water, an organic material, an ionicliquid, an inorganic material, and/or DMSO. In general, the systems,devices, and/or methods provided in accordance with various embodimentsinclude a brine that may get diluted as it is either mixed with ice,such as in an ice mixing vessel, and/or flows against an ice flow andmelts the ice. The brine may then be concentrated utilizing a separatorin some cases. The concentrated brine may be sent back to the ice mixingvessel where it may be combined with ice to form a usefully coldrefrigerant.

A wide variety of different components may be utilized with respect tothe systems, devices, and/or methods described herein. Merely by way ofthe example, some embodiments include a separator as noted above(generally referred to as reference number 105) that may include, butare not limited to, a thermal separator or a mechanical separator; someembodiments may utilize a distillation column. Separators may utilize awide variety of separation techniques including, but not limited to,reverse osmosis, nano-filtration, photonic-driven precipitation,precipitation by chemical reaction, precipitation by solubility change,surfactant absorption, ion exchange, activated carbon absorption, flashseparation, distillation, multi-effect distillation, vapor compressiondistillation, evaporation, membrane distillation, and/or gas permeablemembrane separation.

Below is a description of several systems and/or methods in accordancewith various embodiments. Many of the specific components areinterchangeable with other common devices. For example, an auger may bereplaced by a chain conveyor or bucket conveyor.

Turning now to FIG. 1A, a thermo-chemical recuperation system 100 inaccordance with various embodiments is provided. System 100 may includean ice flow 150 and a brine flow 160. System 100 may be configured tocreate a flow of ice, such as ice flow 150, and flowing a brine, such asbrine flow 160, against the flow of the ice. In some embodiments,flowing the brine from brine flow 160 against the flow of the ice fromice flow 150 includes forming a counter flow of the brine against theflow of the ice. In some embodiments, flowing the brine from brine flow160 against the flow of the ice from ice flow 150 includes forming astep-wise cross flow of the brine against the flow of the ice. In someembodiments, forming the step-wise cross flow of the brine against theflow of the ice includes cyclically injecting the brine at a pluralityof points with respect to the flow of the ice.

In some embodiments of system 100, flowing the brine from brine flow 160against the flow of the ice from ice flow 150 reduces a temperature ofthe brine. In some embodiments, flowing the brine against the flow ofthe ice dilutes the brine. In some embodiments, flowing the brineagainst the flow of the ice reduces a temperature of the ice. Merely byway of example, the ice entering the ice flow 150 may start at atemperature of 0 degrees Celsius, while the brine entering the brineflow 160 may enter at a temperature of −10 degrees Celsius; when the iceleaves the ice flow 150 it may be at a temperature of −28 degreesCelsius, while the temperature of the brine when it leaves the brineflow 160 may be at −28 degrees Celsius. Other temperatures may beapplicable, though in general, flowing the brine from brine flow 160against the ice from ice flow 150 may reduce a temperature of the brineand/or a temperature of the ice.

Some embodiments of the system 100 include delivering the flow of theice from ice flow 150 to an ice tank after flowing the brine against theflow of the ice. Some embodiments include passing the brine from brineflow 160 through a separator after the brine flows against the flow ofthe ice. In some embodiments, the separator forms at least aconcentrated brine or water from the brine. Some embodiments includefreezing the water from the separator to form ice for the flow of theice for ice flow 150. Some embodiments include combining the ice in anice tank with the concentrated brine after flowing the brine from brineflow 160 against the flow of the ice from ice flow 150.

In some embodiments of the system 100, flowing the brine from brine flow160 against the flow of the ice from ice flow 150 utilizes gravity forflowing the brine against the flow of the ice. In some embodiments,creating the flow of the ice flows the ice against gravity. In someembodiments, creating the flow of the ice flows the ice with gravity.

In some embodiments of system 100, the flow of the ice from ice flow 150and flowing the brine from brine flow 160 against the flow of the iceoccurs horizontally. In some embodiments, the flow of the ice andflowing the brine against the flow of the ice that occurs horizontallyincludes flowing the ice and the brine through a tube that includes ahorizontal portion. Some embodiments include utilizing an auger to packthe ice into the tube that includes the horizontal portion.

In some embodiments, creating the flow of the ice from ice flow 150utilizes at least an auger or a chain conveyor. Some embodiments mayutilize a bucket conveyor.

FIG. 1B shows several system configurations 100-i, 100-ii, and 100-iiiin accordance with various embodiments. These configurations may beexamples of system 100 of FIG. 1A. In particular, system configuration100-i includes a brine flow 160-i that may flow against an ice flow150-i, which may be an example of a counter flow. In this configuration,the ice flow 150-i may flow against gravity, while the brine flow 160-imay flow with gravity. System configuration 100-ii includes a brine flow160-ii that may flow against an ice flow 150-ii, which may be an exampleof a counter flow or a step-wise cross flow, which may approximate acounter flow. With a step-wise cross flow, the brine flow 160-ii mayinclude multiple steps that may be across the ice flow 150-ii, which maycreate a form of counter flow when taken as a whole. In thisconfiguration, the ice flow 150-ii may flow with gravity, while thebrine flow 160-ii may flow against gravity. The brine flow 160-ii may bepumped against gravity to create the brine flow 160-ii against the iceflow 150-ii, for example; aspects of brine flow 160-ii may flow withgravity, such as part of the cross flow with respect that may flowacross the ice flow 150-ii. System configuration 100-iii includes abrine flow 160-iii that flows against an ice flow 150-iii, which may bean example of a counter flow or a step-wise counter flow. In thisexample, the brine flow 160-iii and the ice flow 150-iii may occurhorizontally.

FIG. 1C shows a thermo-chemical recuperation system 100-iv in accordancewith various embodiments. System 100-iv may be an example of system 100of FIG. 1A, system 100-i of FIG. 1B, system 100-ii of FIG. 1B, and/orsystem 100-iii of FIG. 1B. A dilute brine 110 may be removed from an icemixing vessel 101 (which may also be referred to as an ice tank) and maybe sent to a thermo-chemical recuperator 102 via one or more injectionports 104. The thermo-chemical recuperator 102 may include one or moreice flow channels 120; the one or more injection ports 104 may bereferred to as brine ports. On the other end of the recuperator 102, ice107 may be fed in. The ice 107 and brine 110 may flow against each otherthat may produce a chilled ice 111 and further dilute brine 108; theresulting flow of ice 107 may be an example of the ice flows 150 fromFIG. 1A and/or FIG. 1B, while the flow of the brine 110 may be anexample of the brine flows 160 from FIG. 1A and/or FIG. 1B. The flow ofice 107 and the flow of brine 110 may be counter to each other in someembodiments; in some embodiments, the flow of brine 110 may form astep-wise cross flow against the flow of ice 107. The chilled ice 111may flow into the ice mixing vessel 101. The further dilute brine 108may be collected in a brine collection vessel 103 (which may be a brinecollection point in some embodiments) and then may flow 112 to aseparator 105. The separator 105 may produce concentrated brine 109and/or water 113; the water may be pure in some cases. The water 113 maybe frozen in an ice maker 106, after which it may be fed again torecuperator 102. The concentrated brine 109 may be sent to the icemixing vessel 101, where it may be mixed with ice.

In general, system 100-iv may utilize the one or more ice flow channels120 of thermo-chemical recuperator 102 and the one or more brine ports104, where the one or more ice flow channels 120 of thermo-chemicalrecuperator 102 and the one or more brine ports 104 may be positionedwith respect to each other such that a flow of the brine 110 from theone or more brine ports 104 may be against a flow of the ice 107 throughthe one or more ice flow channels 120 of the thermo-chemical recuperator102.

In some embodiments of the system 100-iv at least the one or more iceflow channels 120 of the thermo-chemical recuperator 102 or the one ormore brine ports 104 are positioned to form a counter flow of the brine110 against the flow of the ice 107. In some embodiments, at least theone or more ice flow channels 120 of the thermo-chemical recuperator 102or the one or more brine ports 104 are positioned to form a step-wisecross flow of the brine 110 against the flow of the ice 107. In someembodiments of the system 100-iv, the step-wise cross flow of the brine110 against the flow of the ice 107 includes cyclically injecting theflow of the brine 110 at multiple ports from the one or more brine ports104 with respect to the flow of the ice 107 through the one or more iceflow channels 120 of the thermo-chemical recuperator 102.

In some embodiments of system 100-iv, at least the one or more ice flowchannels 120 from the thermo-chemical recuperator 102 or the one or morebrine ports 104 are positioned such that the brine 110 flows withgravity against the flow of the ice 107. In some embodiments, at leastthe one or more ice flow channels 120 of the thermo-chemical recuperator102 or the one or more brine ports 104 are positioned such that the flowof the ice 107 flows the ice against gravity. In some embodiments, atleast the one or more ice flow channels 120 of the thermo-chemicalrecuperator 102 or the one or more brine ports 104 are positioned suchthat the flow of the ice 107 flows the ice with gravity. In someembodiments, the one or more brine ports 104 are positioned such thatflow of the ice 107 and the flow of the brine 110 against the flow ofthe ice 107 occurs horizontally.

Some embodiments of the system 100-iv include an auger positioned withrespect to the one or more ice flow channels 120 of the thermo-chemicalrecuperator 102 to create the flow of the ice 107. Some embodimentsinclude a chain conveyor positioned with respect to the one or more iceflow channels 120 of the thermo-chemical recuperator 102 to create theflow of the ice 107. Bucket and/or belt conveyors may also be utilized.Some embodiments include the ice tank 101 positioned to receive the flowof the ice 107 (referred to as ice 111) after the ice flows through theone or more ice channels 120 of the thermo-chemical recuperator 102.

In some embodiments of the system 100-iv, the one or more ice flowchannels 120 of the thermo-chemical recuperator 102 include at least atube that includes a horizontal portion. Some embodiments include anauger that packs the ice 107 into the tube that includes the horizontalportion.

Some embodiments of the system 100-iv include the separator 105positioned to receive the brine 110 after the brine flows against theflow of the ice 107; this may be referred to as brine 108 and/or brine112. In some embodiments, the separator 105 forms at least aconcentrated brine 109 or water 113 from the brine 112. In someembodiments, the separator 105 is coupled with the ice tank 101 suchthat the concentrated brine 109 is delivered to the ice tank 101; ice(such as ice 111) may be combined with the concentrated brine 109 in theice tank 101. Some embodiments include the ice maker 106 to form the ice107 for the flow of the ice. In some embodiments, the separator 105 iscoupled with the ice maker 106 such that the water 113 from theseparator 105 is delivered to the ice maker 106 to form the ice 107 forthe flow of the ice.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a thermo-chemical recuperator system 100-a inaccordance with various embodiments. System 100-a may be an example ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1A, system 100-i of FIG. 1B, and/or system 100-iv ofFIG. 1C. A dilute brine 110-a may be pumped into a thermo-chemicalrecuperator 102-a via a liquid pump 216 from an ice mixing vessel 101-a,which may also be referred to as an ice tank; a mix of ice and a freezepoint suppressant 203 that may form the dilute brine 110-a may be shownwithin the ice mixing vessel 101-a. The dilute brine 110-a may beinjected into an ice flow channel 120-a of the thermo-chemicalrecuperator 102-a via an injection brine port 104-a where it may flow bygravity down toward a brine collection vessel 103-a. An auger 214 insidethe ice flow channel 120-a may be rotated by a motor 215 and maymechanically move ice 107-a up the ice flow channel 120-a againstgravity. The ice 107-a and brine 110-a may move counter to each otherand that mixing may produce chilled ice 111-a and further dilute brine108-a; this may provide an example of how the flow of the brine 110-amay be against the flow of the ice 107-a. The chilled ice 111-a may fallinto the ice mixing vessel 101-a by the mechanical motion produced bythe auger 214. The further dilute brine 108-a may be pumped by a liquidpump 216-a as flow 112-a to a separator 105-a where it may be separatedto produce water 113-a, which may be pure, and/or concentrated brine109-a. The concentrated brine 109-a may flow back to the ice tank 101-aand the water may flow to an ice maker 106-a, where it may be turnedinto ice 107-a.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a thermo-chemical recuperation system 100-bin accordance with various embodiments. System 100-b may be an exampleof system 100 of FIG. 1A, system 100-i of FIG. 1B, and/or system 100-ivof FIG. 1C. A dilute brine 110-b may be pumped into a thermo-chemicalrecuperator 102-b via a liquid pump 216-b-1 from an ice mixing vessel101-b, which may also be referred to as an ice tank; a mix of ice andbrine 203-b within the ice-mixing vessel 101-b may be shown. The brine110-b may be injected into an ice flow channel 120-b of thethermo-chemical recuperator 102-b via an injection brine port 104-bwhere it may flow by gravity down toward a brine collection vessel103-b. A chain conveyor 214-b inside the ice flow channel 120-b of thethermo-chemical recuperator 102-b may be rotated by a motor 215-b suchthat ice 107-b may be conveyed up against the flow of dilute brine110-b; the flow of ice 107-b may also be against gravity. The ice 107-band brine 110-b may move counter to each other and that mixing mayproduce chilled ice 111-b and/or further dilute brine 108-b; this mayprovide an example of how the flow of the brine 110-b may be against theflow of the ice 107-b. The chilled ice 111-b may fall into the icemixing vessel 101-b by gravity from the top of the chain conveyor 214-b.The further dilute brine 108-b may be pumped by a liquid pump 216-b-2 asflow 112-b to a separator 105-b where it may be separated to producewater 113-b, which may be pure, and/or concentrated bring 109-b. Theconcentrated bring 109-b may flow back to the ice tank 101-b and thewater 113-b may flow to an ice maker 106-b where it may be turned intoice, which again may be introduced into the thermo-chemical recuperator102-b.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a thermo-chemical recuperation system 100-cin accordance with various embodiments. System 100-c may be an exampleof system 100 of FIG. 1A, system 100-ii of FIG. 1B, and/or system 100-ivof FIG. 1C. A dilute brine 110-c may be removed from an ice mixingvessel 101-c (or ice tank) and cyclically injected into thethermo-chemical recuperator 102-c via multiple injection brine ports104-c-1, 104-c-2, 104-c-3 and pumps 216-c-1, 216-c-2, 216-c-3; a mix ofice and brine 203-c within the ice-mixing vessel 101-c may be shown. Thepumps 216-c may be arranged such that they may feed in series from aseries of dilute bring collection vessels 103-c-1, 103-c-2, 103-c-3;each vessel 103-c may receive a respective further dilute brine 108-c-1,108-c-2, 108-c-3. Each vessel 103-c may collect the liquid injected bythe previous pump and may feed the next pump in the series; while system100-c may show a series configuration; some embodiments may utilize aparallel configuration. Furthermore, while system 100-c may show threeports 104-c, three pumps 216-c, and three vessels 103-c, someembodiments may utilize more or fewer ports, pumps, and or vessels. Eachstage of injection may flow over ice 107-c in a perforated tube 120-c,forming an ice flow channel, of the thermo-chemical recuperator 102-c,that may be falling toward the ice mixing vessel 101-c from an ice maker106-c. The ice and brine may both fall by way of gravity and, as such,each stage of the cycle may be viewed as creating cross flow heattransfer, forming a step-wise cross flow in combination. However, as awhole, the stages in series may still produce the desired counter flowarrangement of brine flowing against the flow of ice. After a number ofstages of cyclic injection sufficient to produce the desired approachtemperatures in the outlet streams, further dilute brine 112-c may besent to a separator 105-c via pump 216-c-4. The separator 105-c mayproduce water 113-c, which may be pure, and/or concentrated brine 109-c.The concentrated brine 109-c may be sent back to the ice-mixing vessel101-c; the water 113-c may be sent to the ice maker 106-c. Thethermo-chemical recuperator 102-c may create chilled ice 111-c that mayenter the ice mixing vessel 101-c.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a thermo-chemical recuperation system 100-din accordance with various embodiments. System 100-d may be an exampleof system 100 of FIG. 1A, system 100-iii of FIG. 1B, and/or system100-iv of FIG. 1C. Dilute brine 110-d may be removed from the ice mixingtank or vessel 101-d and injected into the thermo-chemical recuperator102-d via an injection brine port 104-d and/or pump 216-d-1; a mix ofice and brine 203-d within the ice-mixing vessel 101-d may be shown. Thethermo-chemical recuperator 102-d may include a long horizontal tube120-d, forming an ice flow channel, with a path that an ice slurry cannavigate without jamming. The ends of this path may be elevated to allowthe path to be flooded. The brine 108-d may flow through the packed bedof ice 107-d until it reaches the end of the horizontal section where,due to the raised ends of the path, it can collect at a brine collectionpoint 103-d and may be removed by a pump 216-d-2 and sent to the aseparator 105-d as a further dilute brine 112-d. The separator 105-d mayproduce concentrated brine 109-d, that may be sent back to the icemixing tank 101-d; water 113-d, which may be pure, may be sent to an icemaker 106-d. The ice maker 106-d may produce ice 107-d-1, which may fallinto the thermo-chemical recuperator 102-d and may be packed into thepath via an auger 214-d and motor 215-d. As the ice 107-d flows throughthe recuperator 102-d, it may interact with the brine 108-d and mayleave the thermo-chemical recuperator 102-d colder than it entered as asubcooled ice 111-d.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a thermo-chemical recuperation system 100-ein accordance with various embodiments. System 100-e may be an exampleof system 100 of FIG. 1A, system 100-iii of FIG. 1B, and/or system100-iv of FIG. 1C. Dilute brine 110-e may be removed from the ice mixingvessel 101-e (or ice tank) and cyclically injected into thethermo-chemical recuperator 102-e via multiple ejector pumps 104-e-2,104-e-3, and 104-e-4 and mechanical pumps 216-e-1, 216-e-2, and 216-e-3;a mix of ice and brine 203-e within the ice-mixing vessel 101-e may beshown. In this example, three ejector pumps 104-e-2, 104-e-3, and104-e-4 are shown as part of the thermo-chemical recuperator 102-e,though some embodiments may utilize more or fewer pumps; similarly,three mechanical pumps 216-e-1, 216-e-2, and 216-e-3 are shown, thoughsome embodiments may utilize more or fewer pumps. System 100-e mayinclude an additional ejector pump 104-e-1 that may or may not beconsidered as part of the thermo-chemical recuperator 102-e as itsfunction may be to convey ice 111-e from a final stage of thethermo-chemical recuperator 102-e to the ice mixing vessel 101-e.Similarly, system 100-e may include an additional mechanical pump216-e-4 that may or may not be considered as part of the thermo-chemicalrecuperator 102-e as its function may be to convey brine 112-e from afinal stage of the thermo-chemical recuperator 102-e to a separator105-e. Ejector pumps 104-e may be considered as examples of brine portswith respect to thermo-chemical recuperator 102-e. In some embodiments,the ejector pumps 104-e are venturi nozzles. The pumps 104-e and/or216-e may be arranged such that they feed in series from a series ofdilute brine collection vessels 103-e-1, 103-e-2, and 103-e-3, again,while three vessels 103-e may be shown, other embodiments may utilizemore or fewer vessels. The ejector pump 104-e for each stage may pick upice into the brine flow and may use hydrodynamic forces to convey theice to the next stage of the cycle through interconnecting piping120-e-2, 120-e-4, and/or 120-e-6, which may form part of one or more iceflow channels Each vessel 103-e may collect the liquid injected by theprevious pump and may feed the next pump in the series. The ice andbrine may be separated before liquid is collected in the respectivevessel 103-e (such as through the perforated portions shown at the topof each vessel 103-e), while the ice may be collected in hoppers, suchas hoppers 120-e-1, 120-e-3, and/or 120-e-5. These hoppers 120-e-1,120-e-3, and 120-e-5 may form part of one or more ice flow channels. Thecyclic injection and removal of the ice via the ejectors 104-e and/orvessels 103-e may thus form one or more ice flow channels through theuse of hoppers 120-e-1, 120-e-3, and/or 120-e-5 and the interconnectingpiping 120-e-2, 120-4, and/or 120-e-6. In this way, the ice may movefrom right to left in FIG. 6, while the brine may move from left toright, creating a step-wise cross flow or counterflow configuration withthe ice and brine flow against each other overall. System 100-e mayinclude an additional hopper 120-e-7 that may or may not be consideredas part of the thermo-chemical recuperator 102-e as its function may beto convey ice 107-e into the initial stage of the thermo-chemicalrecuperator 102-e. In the left-most stage, subcooled ice may be sent111-e to the tank 101-e using the last ejector 104-e-1. In theright-most stage of the thermo-chemical recuperator 102-e, the furtherdiluted brine 112-e may be removed by a pump 216-e-4 and sent to theseparator 105-e where it may be separated into water 113-e andconcentrated bring 109-e. The brine109-e may be sent back to the icemixing tank 101-e, while the water 113-e may be sent to an ice maker106-e, where it may be turned into ice 107-e.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a flow diagram of a method of thermo-chemicalrecuperation 700 is shown in accordance with various embodiments. Method700 may be implemented utilizing a variety of systems and/or devicessuch as those shown and/or described with respect to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B,FIG. 1C, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and/or FIG. 6.

At block 710, a flow of ice may be created. At block 720, a brine may beflowed against the flow of the ice. In some embodiments, flowing thebrine against the flow of the ice includes forming a counter flow of thebrine against the flow of the ice. In some embodiments, flowing thebrine against the flow of the ice includes forming a step-wise crossflow of the brine against the flow of the ice. In some embodiments,forming the step-wise cross flow of the brine against the flow of theice includes cyclically injecting the brine at a plurality of pointswith respect to the flow of the ice.

In some embodiments of method 700, flowing the brine against the flow ofthe ice reduces a temperature of the brine. In some embodiments, flowingthe brine against the flow of the ice dilutes the brine. In someembodiments, flowing the brine against the flow of the ice reduces atemperature of the ice.

Some embodiments of the method 700 include delivering the flow of theice to an ice tank after flowing the brine against the flow of the ice.Some embodiments include passing the brine through a separator after thebrine flows against the flow of the ice. In some embodiments, theseparator forms at least a concentrated brine or water from the brine.

Some embodiments include freezing the water from the separator to formice for the flow of the ice. Some embodiments include combining the icein an ice tank with the concentrated brine after flowing the brineagainst the flow of the ice.

In some embodiments of the method 700, flowing the brine against theflow of the ice utilizes gravity for flowing the brine against the flowof the ice. In some embodiments, creating the flow of the ice flows theice against gravity. In some embodiments, creating the flow of the iceflows the ice with gravity.

In some embodiments of method 700, the flow of the ice and flowing thebrine against the flow of the ice occurs horizontally. In someembodiments, the flow of the ice and flowing the brine against the flowof the ice that occurs horizontally includes flowing the ice and thebrine through a tube that includes a horizontal portion. Someembodiments include utilizing an auger to pack the ice into the tubethat includes the horizontal portion.

In some embodiments of method 700, creating the flow of the ice utilizesat least an auger or a chain conveyor. Some embodiments may utilize abucket conveyor. Some embodiments may utilize a belt conveyor.

These embodiments may not capture the full extent of combination andpermutations of materials and process equipment. However, they maydemonstrate the range of applicability of the method, devices, and/orsystems. The different embodiments may utilize more or less stages thanthose described.

It should be noted that the methods, systems, and devices discussedabove are intended merely to be examples. It must be stressed thatvarious embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures orcomponents as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated that,in alternative embodiments, the methods may be performed in an orderdifferent from that described, and that various stages may be added,omitted or combined. Also, features described with respect to certainembodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Differentaspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similarmanner. Also, it should be emphasized that technology evolves and, thus,many of the elements are exemplary in nature and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the embodiments.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practicedwithout these specific details. For example, well-known circuits,processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shownwithout unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a processwhich may be depicted as a flow diagram or block diagram or as stages.Although each may describe the operations as a sequential process, manyof the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. Inaddition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process mayhave additional stages not included in the figure.

Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those ofskill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of thedifferent embodiments. For example, the above elements may merely be acomponent of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedenceover or otherwise modify the application of the different embodiments.Also, a number of stages may be undertaken before, during, or after theabove elements are considered. Accordingly, the above description shouldnot be taken as limiting the scope of the different embodiments.

1. A method of thermo-chemical recuperation comprising: creating a flowof ice; and flowing a brine against the flow of the ice, wherein flowingthe brine against the flow of the ice reduces a temperature of the ice.2. The method of claim 1, wherein flowing the brine against the flow ofthe ice includes forming a counter flow of the brine against the flow ofthe ice.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein flowing the brine against theflow of the ice includes forming a step-wise cross flow of the brineagainst the flow of the ice.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein formingthe step-wise cross flow of the brine against the flow of the iceincludes cyclically injecting the brine at a plurality of points withrespect to the flow of the ice.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinflowing the brine against the flow of the ice reduces a temperature ofthe brine.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein flowing the brine againstthe flow of the ice dilutes the brine.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising delivering the flow of the ice to an icetank after flowing the brine against the flow of the ice.
 9. The methodof claim 1, further comprising passing the brine through a separatorafter the brine flows against the flow of the ice.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the separator forms at least a concentrated brine orwater from the brine.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprisingfreezing the water from the separator to form ice for the flow of theice.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising combining the ice inan ice tank with the concentrated brine after flowing the brine againstthe flow of the ice.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein flowing thebrine against the flow of the ice utilizes gravity for flowing the brineagainst the flow of the ice.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein creatingthe flow of the ice flows the ice against gravity.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein creating the flow of the ice flows the ice withgravity.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein creating the flow of the iceutilizes at least an auger or a chain conveyor.
 17. The method of claim1, wherein the flow of the ice and flowing the brine against the flow ofthe ice occurs horizontally.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein theflow of the ice and flowing the brine against the flow of the ice thatoccurs horizontally includes flowing the ice and the brine through atube that includes a horizontal portion.
 19. The method of claim 18,further comprising utilizing an auger to pack the ice into the tube thatincludes the horizontal portion. 20.-37. (canceled)